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WFP-The Herald: Active Transportation Bridge gets some recognition (Aug.7'15)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '15

17 Aug '15

The Herald <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald>Active Transportation Bridge gets some recognition http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Active-Transportati… Two recent construction projects in Elmwood were recognized by the Canadian Public Works Association. The Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge received the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA)’s 2014 Project of the Year award in the Transportation Category for a construction project valued at more than $5 million. "The Manitoba government is proud Winnipeggers can travel more easily and enjoy public space in healthy ways, thanks to investments like this one in the Disraeli Bridge," Minister of Labour and Immigration Erna Braun said in a statement. "Investments in public infrastructure help build stronger communities and a better quality of life for all Manitobans." "The Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge is a key artery of active transportation in our city and has already served our citizens well," Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert), chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works, said in a statement. "Active transportation is important for the health, well-being and economic development of our city, and we look forward to expanding our active transportation networks in other areas of Winnipeg." The City of Winnipeg’s Public Works East Yard Complex — located on Thomas Avenue south of Nairn Avenue — was also honoured by the CPWA in the Environmental Category. The yard’s long-term sustainability has been recognized with a LEED Gold Certification. Facebook.com/TheHeraldWPG <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Facebook.com/TheHer…> Twitter: @heraldWPG <https://twitter.com/HeraldWPG>

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AT Webinar: Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling, Wed, Aug 19, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '15

17 Aug '15

Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar: *Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling*. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling *Wednesday, August 19th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Boardroom* Learn how thoughtful streetscape design improves the function, enhances safety, and boosts the aesthetic and ecological qualities of a street. This session explores best practices in streetscape design and how two different cities approach issues of policy, zoning and retrofitting. In Burnaby, B.C., comprehensive guidelines support a broad range of outcomes to integrate pedestrian, cyclist, transit and driving networks with the sustainable storm water, urban forestry, street lighting, public art and place-making functions of accessible, complete streets. Learn about the multi-disciplinary process that built these guidelines, which are based on existing plans and policies that support environmental, social and economic sustainability. San Francisco’s WalkFirst initiative aims to improve pedestrian safety. Learn about the methodology developed to prioritize retrofitting projects in order to create the greatest benefit within the constraints of limited funding. *Presenters*: - Stuart Ramsey, Manager, Transportation Planning, City of Burnaby, B.C. - Grahm Satterwhite, Manager, Complete Streets Planning, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency - Ian Wasson, Urban Design Planner, City of Burnaby, B.C.

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BIZ BIZ TEDx?
by Anders Swanson 11 Aug '15

11 Aug '15

[Think about it: Assiniboine is currently the Portage Avenue for people on bikes. Winnipeg Trails' email account often gets asked :"We are headed out on our bikes, where can we go for coffee/grab a drink along Winnipeg Trails?" Modern north american zoning is traditionally oriented around roads (think how arterial roads are typically also commercial corridors). Increasingly, the possibilities of transit spurring similar development (think transit quality zones/TOD) is becoming better understood. Pedestrians, of course, are occasionally integrated into the equation esp. in urban areas (increased density, mixed use). However, what about bicycles. Whjat about the opportunities created by new trails. There is little known about the potential of new businesses to take advantage of the places that people on bikes stop. Here is an interesting idea from two business owners who've made $ along pathways; they think we need to start thinking about a new category of commercial zoning: bike-in zoning. - Anders ] *Bike-In Zoning* "Linda Thorne and Lanny Tonning have stumbled upon an excellent idea: specific zoning for businesses that wish to cater primarily to cyclists, especially along existing multi-use trails. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=81&v=l-YxtMoXv1U"

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WFP: Couple travels the world by bike – without leaving the city (Aug.4'15)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Aug '15

04 Aug '15

How to cycle the world in 14 days? Hint: you don't leave Winnipeg *http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/how-to-cycle-the-world-in-14-days-weeks-320576622.html <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/how-to-cycle-the-world-in-14-days-we…>* They’re pedalling around the world in 14 days. Newly engaged Michael Horbay and Lisa Kappel, both 45, are self-described "avid" cyclists and runners. In summers past, their bikes have taken them across the city, from Bombers games to The Forks and places between. Last year, they cycled to 14 different Folklorama pavilions. This year, they’re hoping to top that, biking to all of the 43 pavilions the festival offers. "Second day in, it’s been an awesome adventure and we’re just, Lisa and I are just pumped," said Horbay Monday evening, the second night of the festival. Already, he and his fiancee had been to three pavilions — Germany, Hungary and Ethiopia — and were about to head out to three more: the Philippines, Portugal and Spain. For two weeks every summer, Folklorama’s pavilions offer Winnipeggers a peek into cultures from all over the globe. Last year’s festival brought out more than 400,000 visitors to the 43 venues, run by more than 20,000 volunteers. Now celebrating its 46th birthday, the festival’s 2015 run began Sunday and will wrap up on Aug. 15. In that time, Horbay and Kappel estimate they will cycle more than 400 kilometres — logging just over 30 the first night and assuming the next 13 will be similar — and catching between two and four shows a day. You’ll be able to spot them by their bright red T-shirts, branded "Cycling Folklorama #seeitall." "Folklorama means a lot to us," said Kappel on Monday. "It’s a chance to experience a holiday within our own city. We get to see the world on our bikes." After sampling a handful of pavilions by bike last year and loving it, Kappel said she and Horbay decided to get serious this time round. "This year, we actually took holidays and re-arranged our schedules for the weeks to make it out to all of (the pavilions)," she said. "Michael sat down, and we got the Folklorama (guide), and a lot of the pavilions are kind of grouped together. We picked the furthest one of the grouping and then we go to the other ones after that." Horbay said the biggest motivation to ride to each event is pretty simple. "You know, cycling is, first of all, a lot of fun," he said. There’s also the added layer of convenience: no worries about finding parking, and Horbay said staff at the pavilions have been "extremely gracious" in helping store the cycles safely — plus, there’s no traffic. Kappel added she appreciates that cycling is easier on the environment than driving around in a car, and both value the chance to challenges themselves and get some exercise. The pair will be tweeting about their journey, using the hashtags #michaelandlisafitnessfun and #seeitall — a challenge in itself, Horbay noted. "The cycling is the easy part, it’s all the social media we have to keep up on," he quipped. More than anything, Kappel said she hopes other Winnipeggers are inspired to catch a Folklorama show — by bike or otherwise. "I think sometimes we (Winnipeggers) tend to not take advantage of things that are offered at home," she said. "We just want to encourage Winnipeggers to get out there on their bikes and to take advantage of what the city has to offer right here at home." aidan.geary(a)freepress.mb.ca *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 4, 2015 A2*

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WFP: Councillors hire lawyer to persuade re-vote on contentious transportation plan (Aug1'15)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Aug '15

01 Aug '15

[sigh..] Councillors hire lawyer to persuade re-vote on contentious transportation plan http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Councillors-hire-lawyer-to-p-3203271… A trio of Winnipeg city councillors opposed to portions of the city’s controversial pedestrian and cycling strategy are calling for a re-vote after they produced a legal opinion that found there were no grounds to block debate to the amendments they were proposing. Couns. Russ Wyatt, Ross Eadie and Jason Schreyer hired local lawyer Dave Hill following the July 15 council meeting, where Speaker Devi Sharma — on the advice of the city clerk — refused to allow debate on the 20 amendments to the strategy. Sharma ruled the city’s procedure bylaw limits the number of amendments to a motion to two, and that was taken up by two friendly amendments already put forward by Couns. Scott Gillingham and Jenny Gerbasi. Schreyer immediately rose to challenge Sharma’s ruling, but he couldn’t muster enough support from other councillors to support him. But in a written report to the three councillors, Hill said he could find no provisions in the procedure bylaw to support Sharma’s ruling and added perhaps the motion approving the strategy was illegal because council had broken its own rules by refusing debate on all the amendments. "I am not surprised there is now legal opinion backing up my challenge of the Speaker," Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said. Wyatt (Transcona) said he hopes the legal opinion is enough to persuade Mayor Brian Bowman to bring the strategy back to council for another vote. "All we want is our amendments to be considered," Wyatt said Friday. The three councillors said they used their ward allowance funds to hire Hill, explaining his legal bill is expected to be in the range of $500 to $750. "It’s a travesty that well-thought-out amendments were denied democratic debate," Eadie (Mynarski) said. Bowman’s office said the mayor was unavailable for comment Friday. City clerk Richard Kachur said council has always interpreted Section 27 of the procedure bylaw as limiting the number of amendments to any motion to two. "I didn’t have to get a legal opinion, it’s always been interpreted this way for the past 20 years," Kachur said. "There’s been lots of practice and precedent to support this. This is how council conducts itself." Council’s July 15 meeting was a wild affair, with Wyatt storming out of the chambers after Sharma blocked debate on the 20 amendments. Wyatt ran to the mayor’s office and taped a copy of each amendment to his glass door and wrote "democracy denied" on each document. At the July 15 meeting, Sharma ruled only the first two amendment motions tabled for an item can be debated and voted on. She said, based on advice from the city clerk, that if more motions are added for debate, it requires a two-thirds vote of council to suspend the rules and allow the debate on the additional amendments. Only Wyatt, Eadie, Schreyer, Jeff Browaty and Shane Dobson voted to suspend the rules. That council meeting culminated a month-long campaign by Wyatt, Eadie and Browaty to gather support for changes to the strategy. They had singled out errors in the maps that marked out pedestrian and cycling routes. They even took out radio ads promoting their concerns. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Friday smile: Everyday Cyclists' New Hero (Momentum)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jul '15

31 Jul '15

For a Friday laugh, check out this video from Sao Paulo that's making the rounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luNGjffDjCs Read the full story <http://momentummag.com/this-man-lifting-a-car-is-every-frustrated-bike-rider> in Momentum Magazine how this fellow lifts a car (by hand) out of a bike lane so he can cycle through. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/>

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Heat-sensitive map
by Patman, David 29 Jul '15

29 Jul '15

Given Winnipeg's climate, this would be useful here for wayfinding (with both cold weather and hot weather info.) http://www.citylab.com/navigator/2015/07/a-map-that-adapts-to-the-weather/3… David Patman, P. Eng. Transit Planner Winnipeg Transit | Service Development Division 421 Osborne Street | Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2A2 P: 204-986-5737 | dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca>

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National Association of Realtors (US): Millennials favor walkable communities
by Beth McKechnie 29 Jul '15

29 Jul '15

Millennials Favor Walkable Communities, Says New NAR Poll Jul 28, 2015, 12:46 ET from National Association of Realtors <http://www.prnewswire.com/news/national+association+of+realtors> http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/millennials-favor-walkable-communit… WASHINGTON, July 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennials prefer walking over driving by a substantially wider margin than any other generation, according to a new poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors® and the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University. The *2015* *National Community and Transportation Preference* *Survey* <http://www.realtor.org/reports/nar-2015-community-preference-survey> found that millennials, those aged 18-34, prefer walking as a mode of transportation by 12 percentage points over driving. Millennials are also shown to prefer living in attached housing, living within walking distance of shops and restaurants, and having a short commute, and they are the most likely age group to make use of public transportation. The poll also found that millennials show a stronger preference than other generations for expanding public transportation and providing transportation alternatives to driving, such as biking and walking, while also increasing the availability of trains and buses. Millennials likewise favor developing communities where people do not need to drive long distances to work or shop. "Realtors® don't only sell homes, they sell neighborhoods and communities," said NAR President Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark. "Realtors® aid in improving and revitalizing neighborhoods with smart growth initiatives, helping create walkable, urban centers, which is what more Americans want in their neighborhoods. While there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all community, more and more homebuyers are expressing interest in living in mixed-used, transit-accessible communities." As a whole, the survey found that Americans prefer walkable communities more so than they have in the past. Forty-eight percent of respondents reported that they would prefer to live in communities containing houses with small yards but within easy walking distance of the community's amenities, as opposed to living in communities with houses that have large yards, but they have to drive to all amenities. And while 60 percent of adults surveyed live in detached, single-family homes, 25 percent of those respondents said they would rather live in an attached home and have greater walkability. When choosing a new home, respondents indicated that they would like choices when it comes to their community's transportation options. Eighty-five percent of survey participants said that sidewalks are a positive factor when purchasing a home, and 79 percent place importance on being within easy walking distance of places. Women in particular value walkability in their communities, with 61 percent indicating that having sidewalks with stores and restaurants to walk to is very important. When it comes to respondents' thoughts on transportation priorities for the government, 83 percent indicated that maintaining and repairing roads and bridges should be a high priority, with expanding roads to help alleviate or reduce congestion as the next highest priority, at 60 percent. While consumers' top two concerns are related to driving, over half of survey participants stated that expanding public transit and providing convenient alternatives to driving should also be high priorities. TREC's research on active transportation and urban housing choices provided a foundation to build upon in working with NAR for this poll. "It's great to work with an organization that reaches so many professionals and has such an effect on people as they decide where to live," said Jennifer Dill, director of TREC. "This poll shows again how strong a role transportation plays in housing decisions." The survey of 3,000 adult Americans living in the 50 largest metropolitan areas was conducted by American Strategies and Meyers Research in May 2015 and analyzed by researchers at Portland State University. TREC, the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University, produces timely, practical research useful to transportation decision makers and supports the education of future transportation professionals. TREC houses the National Institute for Transportation and Communities, the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation and the Portal transportation data archive. The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. *Information about NAR is available at **www.realtor.org* <http://www.realtor.org/>*. This and other news releases are posted in the "News, Blogs and Videos" tab on the website.* **

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AT Webinar Reminder: How Rapid Transformation Delivers Bike-Friendly Streets, 2-3pm, Wed, July 29, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 28 Jul '15

28 Jul '15

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar *** Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the APBP and Green Lane Project webinar: *How Rapid Transformation Delivers Bike-Friendly Urban Streets*. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** How Rapid Transformation Delivers Bike-Friendly Urban Streets *Wednesday, July 29th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Boardroom* Explore how the concept and practice of rapid implementation is evolving and has altered the way cities develop and deliver urban street projects. This webinar previews a new report from PeopleForBikes on the institutionalization of real-time transportation programs and shows how the techniques are becoming embedded as normal practice within city governments. A developing project delivery technique is transforming the way cities put new bicycle facilities on the ground. Presently identified with pilot projects and rapid implementation, real-time transportation programs are progressing rapidly from outlier status to status quo. PeopleForBike’s research indicates that no two cities have established and evolved these programs in quite the same way, suggesting that the technique is flexible and easily adaptable. The report also delves into the role of leadership and different scenarios for selling the approach. This webinar reviews the origins of rapid implementation and discusses institutional settings, relationships with other parts of transportation, planning and public works departments, the process of project development, relationship to capital programs, and emerging issues. Speakers from Pittsburgh and Seattle provide insight based on their cities’ experience. *Speakers:* - Dongho Chang, City of Seattle - Jon Orcutt, PeopleForBikes - Kristin Saunders, City of Pittsburgh

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Changes to TOD ordinances in Chicago
by Patman, David 27 Jul '15

27 Jul '15

Interesting ideas in Chicago: Increasing the area zoned for TOD & making it acceptable to provide bike parking instead of vehicle parking... http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-cta-housing-bicycles-0727-biz-201… David Patman, P. Eng. Transit Planner Winnipeg Transit | Service Development Division 421 Osborne Street | Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2A2 P: 204-986-5737 | dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca>

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